Ilsa Fogg as Abby in Blueback.

Welcome to the very first episode of the Cinema Australia Podcast for 2023.

I can’t believe this is the 90th episode, and I couldn’t think of a better guest to celebrate with than esteemed Australian filmmaker, Robert Connolly.

I first met Robert back in 2013 when he was in Perth with The Turning. He was my first ever interview for Cinema Australia, and it was real thrill to spend time with the filmmaker responsible for movies like The Bank, Balibo and The Slap, and of course he has made Paper Planes, The Dry and many others since.

In this episode Robert is joined by rising star Ilsa Fogg to discuss their new film, Blueback – one of the best films you’re likely to see this year. I had so much fun with Blueback, and in my opinion it’s the best Tim Winton adaptation since The Turning, which was also produced by Connolly. 

Robert Connolly (middle) on the set of Blueback.

Blueback follows Abby (played by Fogg), a young girl who befriends a magnificent wild blue groper while diving. When Abby realizes that the fish is under threat, she takes inspiration from her activist Mum, Dora (played by Radha Mitchell), and takes on poachers to save her friend.

This interview was recorded live from a Perth hotel on the day of the film’s Australian premiere at Perth Festival. It’s a very casual chat in which Robert gives us an insight into this film which he has been working on since 1998.

Blueback is in cinemas now, and I can’t recommend it enough.

Anyway…enjoy.

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